Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape: Insights from the UNESCO-WIMEN Summit

By: Maame Efua Yamoawah Essel

In a resounding celebration of empowerment and progress, the UNESCO Commission for Ghana, held a 3-day summit to spearhead a landmark event dedicated to championing women in the media industry. The 3-day program, aptly themed “Women in Media Education Network Summit”, brought together a diverse array of aspiring journalists and seasoned professionals, all sharing a common goal to inspire and elevate women within the dynamic realm of media.

The summit, held in Accra, showcased a comprehensive agenda designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities that women face in the media industry. With a spotlight on education, networking, and mentorship, the event was a beacon for those aspiring to make their mark in the field.

Distinguished speakers with the likes of Oheneyere Gifty Anti, Portia Garbor, Mary Ama Bawa, Theodora Dame Adjin-Tettey (PhD), Jerry Sam, Bridgette Dzogbenuku, and Shamima Muslim, graced the summit with their wisdom and experience. Participants were treated to insights from luminaries who have carved out distinguished careers in Journalism, cyberbullying and harassment, fact checking and related fields. Their stories, journeys, and invaluable experiences resonated with the eager audience, providing a roadmap for success.

The summit also served as an opportune time for interactive sessions where participants asked and covered a wide spectrum of topics, including human interest stories, reporting, multimedia journalism and digital storytelling. This helped foster meaningful connections among the participants they had the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions and hands-on activities, allowing them to hone their skills and gain a deeper understanding of the ever-evolving media landscape.

One of the highlights of the event was that, in an era where media’s reach extends further than ever before, there exists a diverse spectrum of individuals striving to harness its potential and wield it for positive change. Media proliferation has granted easy access to countless voices, giving rise to a more liberated form of mass communication. In this digital epoch, interactivity and personalization have become the hallmark of media consumption, enabling individuals to shape their own virtual spaces and tap into a global wellspring of information. The advent of algorithms has further streamlined content curation, tailoring suggestions to the preferences of each user. The adverse impact on journalism has been that the traditional or legacy newsrooms are now fast declining hence it is important that newsrooms and individual journalists to adapt to this shifting landscape by developing entrepreneurial mindset and readiness to collaborate within teams. Students of journalism were also advised to embrace their roles as principal researchers, gaining deep insights into the media habits and behaviours of their target audience across various platforms. They should be willing to fact check every information before publishing, bearing in mind that the ultimate duty of a journalist is to the truth and his loyalty is to serve the citizens. Also, the event marked a significant step towards empowering participants to reclaim the digital space to avoid being victims of cyberbullying. Mary Ama Bawa, the speaker on the cybersecurity session reiterated the dire consequences of cyberbullying and harassment to be profound, far beyond financial or physical harm. She added that victims may grapple with issues of self-esteem, social isolation, anxiety, and depression, which can, in extreme cases, culminate in tragic outcomes. Therefore, judicious curation of friendships and online connections becomes an essential aspect of self-care

The summit also provided a platform to discuss and confront issues of gender bias, diversity, and the importance of amplifying women’s voices in media narratives. In a fervent call to action, participants and speakers alike emphasized the need for greater representation and inclusivity within the media sphere. The seasoned speakers having based on their earlier experiences within the media space and from in-depth surveys conducted, revealed there are numerous opportunities unfailingly available to women and to those who prepare yet for women in media, there are challenges that still persist, a lot of the demands and remuneration often fallen short of equitable. Hence the summit sought for more equitable and vibrant media landscape.

The women in media education network summit culminated in a rousing call to continue this course. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose, armed with knowledge, networks, and inspiration to effect positive change in their respective spheres of influence.